| by Catherine C. Kroeger (Brewster, Massachusetts) |
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| The young woman stood uncertainly on the threshold of her cousin’s house and drew a deep breath. The time had come when she must reveal to someone that she was pregnant out of wedlock and here she was on the doorstep of a profoundly righteous couple, famed for their scrupulous observation of the Law. They had had no children of their own, and how could they possibly understand? She had as yet told no one of her condition and yet the angel had said that Elizabeth too was expecting a child. Mary stood there a moment, with only the angelic promise to fortify her, sure of the promise, but unsure of the reception that she might receive. Timidly she called out her greeting and waited for a response. She heard a rush of feet that were no longer accustomed to moving at so swift a pace, and the door was tugged open by impatient hands. Before her stood the elderly Elizabeth, her face transfixed with rapture. She gave a great whoop of joy as she exclaimed “Of all women you are the most blessed and blessed is the child in your womb” Mary was overwhelmed. How could Elizabeth know? How could she affirm what Mary had expected her to misunderstand and condemn? As the old woman stood there, there was an opportunity to make out the contours of her figure. Yes, despite her age she was indeed expecting a child. “How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” she questioned while her young cousin was filled with a wondrous sense of confirmation. Here was the echo of the angel’s promise, not only that both women should bear a child, each to be a chosen instrument in God’s Kingdom, but that the son of Mary would be the Holy One of Israel. “The moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leaped for joy!” Mary began to tremble with relief and awe and joy. She could never have convinced Elizabeth or her priestly husband Zacharias, but from within her womb had come authentication. Who could ever have believed all this? “Blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled” continued the old woman. One miracle had followed another: that of her own pregnancy after so many years of waiting and now the visit of the expectant Mary. What questions must fill the mind of this young mother-to-be? How much they would have to discuss! Suddenly all of Mary’s reticence faded away, and she was able to give voice to all the perplexities that she had carried in her soul. How could it be that someone of such humble circumstances would be considered worthy to bear the Messiah? Surely the king should be born into a royal status, not to come as the son of an unmarried peasant maid. The rich and powerful did not seem to factor at all into God’s design but rather those who were least likely to oppress or abuse others. How was one to understand the mind of the Almighty? How was she to look with new eyes at old sources of injustice? The words welled up inside her “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit exults in God my Savior; because he has looked upon his handmaid.” Even an unwed mother, for all her obscurity, might explore the ramifications of a God who had turned the power structure upside down. Those who were considered of least importance suddenly found themselves in positions of dignity and spiritual significance. “Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me:” She had overcome so many doubts and uncertainties to reach this point, to accept God’s place and plan for her. In this she is a model for abused women who find no meaning in their own lives. Mary knew that it was God who had transformed her questionable circumstances into a glorious mission. Even an unwed mother, for all her obscurity, might explore the ramifications of a God who had turned the power structure upside down. “Holy is his name, and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.” Weaving together lines from the songs and from the ancient song of Hannah the mother of Samuel, she found truth in the ancient scriptures and courage to move on into an uncertain future. She did not know where she might find shelter or help for her delivery, whether or not Joseph could come to understand and accept God’s work in her life, how she could manage to provide for the child. And yet she clung joyously to the everlasting mercy of God. “He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart” With eyes of faith, Mary perceived that God’s power was often at direct variance with the wrongful use of human power. She was witnessing the beginning of a new order. Frequently abused women have been so humiliated, frightened and demeaned that they cannot see their own worth or the purposes that God may have for their lives. All too often they blame themselves for the abuse that they receive, and often they feel incompetent to take any steps to try to help themselves. Like Mary they can be challenged to understand that God is in the business of “upside downing” issues of power and control. “He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.” Pride and power are disqualifications for doing God’s work in the Kingdom of Heaven. To this day Mary’s praise song speaks to those living in terror, oppression, and degradation. It speaks as well to women who have fled an abusive situation and must face issues of survival, of providing for themselves and their children. Where there is despair, God offers hope. Where there is degradation God gives dignity. Where there is dire need, there are still servants of God willing to render assistance and a listening ear. “He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy” according to the promise he made to our ancestors, of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants forever. The promises of God are still valid, the biblical condemnations of abuse still stand, and the call still compelling to bring peace and justice to troubled families. ——————————————————————————– Reprinted with permission from: God’s Word to Women http://www.godswordtowomen.org/ ——————————————————————————– Editor’s Note: Not sure what message she is trying to send by the title. Christmas is not in the Bible as a celebration and this article is not about Christmas. Laura Lee |
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